Martin wants AJ in April

Charles Martin’s team have approached ‘UK superstar’ Anthony Joshua about fighting for the world title on April 9.

Britain’s unbeaten heavyweight prospect is on a list of potential opponents drawn up by new champion Martin, who stopped Vyacheslav Glazkov in January to claim the IBF belt stripped from Tyson Fury.

And the American’s team wants the fight to happen as early as April, when Joshua is due to headline a bill at London’s O2 Arena against an as-yet unnamed opponent.

“I can confirm that Charles Martin is willing to fight Joshua April 9 in London,” his manager Mike Borao told World Boxing News.

“Charles wants to make a statement in his first defence and wanted a Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury unification. Both are busy with mandatory and contracted fights with Alexander Povetkin and Wladimir Klitschko, so Joshua is the next best thing.”

Joshua spoke openly about his progress in the wake of December’s wild win over Dillian Whyte and has always maintained he will take his time ascending to world level.

But that has not stopped some of the division’s biggest names lining up to challenge the Olympic champion, and American Martin is the latest.

“We’ve reached out to Joshua’s people,” promoter Leon Margules told RingTV.com. “I think there’s interest on their side but I just don’t know if they think they’re ready yet.

“They know they have a kid they’re holding back. I think it’s a fight that can be made if they think they’re ready.

“We’d go to England if there is a fight. The kid is a superstar over there. Everyone is saying he’s the second coming, so let’s find out.”